United States (US) River Cruises! Top options to consider.

[@blackie-jm9tr]

Great video! Thank you for posting.

[@seemoreseascruises3791]

You are welcome! I am glad that you enjoyed the video! Thanks for sharing and for watching!

[@kathyslocombe1182]

We sailed on the American Queen (American Queen Steamboat Company) in 2016, from New Orleans to Memphis. Amazing cruise! Being Canadian, to better understand the history of the South, was very interesting to us. The Antebellum history of slavery and visiting the plantations was incredible. The tours provided were thorough and very detailed. We loved being on an authentic paddle wheeler. Experiencing the Mississippi and its working barges was something not to be forgotten. The service and food was first class. In 2023, we sailed with Viking on a Rhine river cruise from Amsterdam to Basel, Switzerland. The history of this journey was amazing. The included excursions were first rate. The food and service, again, were first class. Yes, both of these cruises were very expensive but the memories we have excel the price we paid. If you love history and all of the luxuries that come with both the US and European experiences, you won't be disappointed.

[@seemoreseascruises3791]

That sounds amazing! So happy to hear about your experiences. I'm glad that you feel that the cost was in line with the level of the experience. Thanks so much for sharing with us and for watching!

[@JimRosipkoRN]

In February 2024 American Queen Voyages announced they were ceasing operations and shutting down.

[@seemoreseascruises3791]

Yes they have. The update on their operations status is in the description. I appreciate the comment for those watching. This video was done prior to their unfortunate decision to cease operations. I hope someone acquires them and begins service again after reorganization.

[@richardbrown6565]

And I'm still waiting for my refund.

[@Omgwhy400]

Yeah. And I lost my job...What an experience. So sad.

[@tomithot261]

I'm wanting to do more small cruises, and and found you. This video was excellent ... well organized, full of info. You have a fan ...

[@seemoreseascruises3791]

Welcome aboard! Thank you for watching & I am so glad it was helpful!

[@ronriecken378]

The Ohio is the beautiful river. American cruise line offers cruises on The Ohio! It is the best! 16:15

[@seemoreseascruises3791]

That would be a great itinerary. Thanks for watching!

[@golden8key]

Great over view and review 👍🏾👍🏾

[@seemoreseascruises3791]

Thank you 🤗 I really appreciate that! And thanks for watching!

[@Lord.Kiltridge]

I'm Canadian. When I travel to the U.S., I do so grudgingly and _only_ to get on a cruise ship. Alaska is the exception. (There is nothing that is _not_ exceptional about Alaska.) Don't get me wrong, the U.S. _used_ to have _all_ our favourite vacation destinations, and oh how I miss the food. But the American river cruises seem very expensive to me.

[@seemoreseascruises3791]

I would tend to agree with you regarding the prices of the US River Cruises. I am still researching and very interested but the cost is extremely high for what you seem to get.

[@catcracker48]

@@seemoreseascruises3791 After watching this video, I was very interested in looking further into this type of vacation. However, after this comment, and you also saying the cost is extremely high, I am having second thoughts. You may wish to edit the video to include this additional piece of information, as I would not have known this fact without reading the comments. And I'm guessing as a single traveler, that cost is even worse.

[@seemoreseascruises3791]

@@catcracker48 This is a tough one because I try not to put my personal financial assumptions into the mainstream video. I have learned that my budget can be completely different from others. I have learned that time and time again from my cruise clients that personal spending and budgets are subjective. My comment regarding "extremely high for what you seem to get" is comparing the cruise around the areas where I grew up. Those that have never experienced the US Midwest may have completely different opinions and value propositions regarding visiting these areas. Yes, to me a Mississippi Cruise does not compare to the value that a river cruise on the Rhine or Danube does. That does not mean that it is not within their means or worth the price of admission. I am still very interested in many of the itineraries. I hope that you are too! Thanks for sharing and for watching.

[@a.e.7988]

​​@@seemoreseascruises3791duh, they have to pay US minimum wages!!!

[@a.e.7988]

Stay in Canada!!😮

[@erickkurz3696]

does the paddlewheel actually propell the ship

[@seemoreseascruises3791]

On the Mississippi American Queen Voyages, yes it actually does. Unfortunately that company is now no longer operating. They just very recently ceased operations.

[@cruisecrazy7066]

@@seemoreseascruises3791 The paddle wheel fell off.

[@maigoff5725]

Do the American cruise lines have international crews?

[@seemoreseascruises3791]

There will be a mix onboard but since the ships are flagged in the United States, most of the staff is going to be US as well.

[@jefeking2117]

As a truck driver I wonder if there’s state to state cruise market

[@seemoreseascruises3791]

That would be the Mississippi full trip!

[@josephrobichaud5198]

I'd take one but there about 4 times the cost per day of most other cruises.

[@seemoreseascruises3791]

I could not agree more! The cost of these are so expensive compared to an ocean cruise. I also have no need to spend that type of money to travel up or down the muddy Mississippi and view farm land. The Columbia and Snake river is worth consideration IMO but the cost would have to be reasonable. Thanks for sharing and for watching!

[@annm.7176]

So the shift that leaves to go up the snake river leaves what town on the big river?

[@seemoreseascruises3791]

Most of the common itineraries for the Snake and Columbia rivers are between, Clarkston, WA and Portland, OR www.americancruiselines.com/cruises/columbia-and-snake-river-cruises/columbia-and-snake-rivers-cruise

[@karenflam]

Costs are way too high.

[@seemoreseascruises3791]

I agree. I just am not seeing the value yet. They seem to be popular for those who do not want to travel but a Mississippi cruise just does not make sense for me yet. Thanks for sharing!

[@a.e.7988]

You get what you pay for!!😮

[@jamesvokral4934]

Viking is my favorite cruise line. I believe their Mississippi ship is the most luxerious and comfortable vessel operating on the river. However, I live in Minneapolis and have seen much of the Mississippi River all the way south to New Orleans. It is simply not very attractive in many areas as you have correctly explained. Most Viking cruisers would be disappointed because of that and the high cost of operating in the USA. The Mississippi may have more appeal to their British, Australian and US folks who live on the East or West Coast. Midwest Viking fans would generally not choose this cruise because they know the surrounding land is mostly flat and unattractive with a lot of industrial areas on the river. I think that might explain the low rating because most passengers probably are repeat Viking customers and had better Viking experiences previously.

[@seemoreseascruises3791]

Thanks for the validation of my assumptions - it means a lot. I think that you make a great point with the lower scores for the Viking sailings. I agree that this is not your typical Viking extraordinary destination river or ocean cruise and they are most likely not getting the same value for their cruise fare. The European cruise customer would be a better target than the US midwest cruiser, especially at these prices. Thanks for watching!

[@amyhook8605]

They have to follow the American with disability act in the us

[@wendellcoleman1137]

I realize these comments are "just me" but after checking out several similar american river cruise videos, I came to the realization that these type cruises just aren't for me, for several reasons . . . First, I agree with your comment that the american itineraries are significantly less picturesque and interesting than the European ones. My only other "river cruise" experiences were on a couple of the paddlewheel riverboats out of New Orleans and St. Louis, and which were basically up-and-back day trips on the Mississippi River that only lasted an hour or so. But, the experiences were so underwhelming that I was reluctant to even check out river cruises to begin with. The "scenery", if you want to call it that, in both the New Orleans and the St Louis trips consisted of viewing dilapidated and rusting sheet-metal warehouses, auto wrecking yards, abandoned chemical plants, and expansive homeless encampments (repleat with people "living in a van, down by the river"). And the terrible views were exacerbated by the snail's-pace of the lumbering riverboats, as we were zipping along at half the speed of smell, forced to look at the same unimaginative graffiti-covered railroad boxcars for ten minutes! Another big turn-off for me is the price, which others have made reference to, which usually runs you $4,000 - $5,000, which I might have considered splurging for if it was a more exotic European cruise. I got the impression that the clientel for these type cruises were the more refined, well-to-do retirees, with the upscale, white tablecloth dining, "smooth jazz" musical quartets, and the everpresent scholarly presentations/discussions, which I readily admit just ain't my cup of tea! There's nothing wrong with those activities as such, but the smallness of these river ships cuts down on the variety of the food and entertainment options for those with less refined tastes! Sometimes you just want a good ol' cheeseburger, or a couple of slices of pizza and a beer at midnight, and not some arugula-infused enchiladas! The one river cruise that I was interested in was the one that's on the Columbia River. It offered both good scenery (along the Columbia River gorge), interesting onboard historical travellogs, and interesting on-shore visits (both covering the historical Lewis and Clark Expedition). But alas, the cost was just too much, even for that promising offering!

[@seemoreseascruises3791]

Well said. I tend to agree with you on both the substance of these American River cruises and the amenities provided. That Columbia / Snake River is probably the most attractive to me too. I just can't seem to get past the costs as you pointed out. Thanks for sharing and for watching!

[@amyhook8605]

Does it have medical rooms??😅❤

[@seemoreseascruises3791]

As you look at the deck plans, the lower levels of both river cruises and ocean cruise ships normally have a medical facility and upon start up from the pandemic almost all cruises lines added medical staff and facilities onboard to assist in restart. Also, most ships have a small percentage of accessible staterooms that accommodate those with disabilities and medical issues. If there are medical devices that are needed you normally only have to submit a special needs request form 60 days prior to sailing.

[@PennsyRailroad]

Needs an update seeing AQ is defunct.

[@seemoreseascruises3791]

It is in the video description. The 3rd sentence. Thanks for sharing and of course for watching.

[@coralgwyn-williams9933]

good grief, why?

[@seemoreseascruises3791]

Good question! I have not found a US River cruise that works for me yet and the value does not meet my expectations. It does for some but not yet for me.

[@debbrarose9969]

These are not ships, they are boats.

[@seemoreseascruises3791]

Yes, they are absolutely boats. River boats. Even the ACL coastal ships are boats...... but expensive boats! Thanks for watching!

[@theprimitiveblackhatsociet8274]

Why would anybody want to do anything in New Orleans or Memphis. Or some of the other cities they stop in. They seem to start in, and go to, some of the most dangerous cities in the country. I thought the New England one looked really nice, but the price is so expensive.

[@seemoreseascruises3791]

I tend to agree with you on the Mississippi itineraries. I love New Orleans but not as a cruise port. The other stops on a Mississippi cruise just does not appeal to me since I have been through most of them. This does appeal to those that are history buffs and want to visit if never have been. I do think that coastal cruises off the NE coast are attractive. I think that the costs are so high because these are mostly all inclusive and are very small intimate ship experiences. Thanks for watching and of course for sharing!

[@theprimitiveblackhatsociet8274]

@@seemoreseascruises3791 I have been to New Orleans...twice. Once decades ago, and once for work not that long ago. It is not what people think it is. Gone are most of the small jazz clubs and great restaurants. Even in the historical French Quater. It is now huge dance clubs with cheap booze and a bunch of drunk college kids. It is a shame.

[@monicapharo2330]

@@seemoreseascruises3791i

[@a.e.7988]

Because they are the music capitals of the world!! Duh😮

[@a.e.7988]

Because you can't afford it!!😢